Riddles, an Outstanding Part of Filipino Culture
Riddles are brain teasers usually made in the interrogative style of writing, mostly used to entertain one’s self and or help sharpen one’s thoughts but Filipino riddles are on a level of its own. Early Filipinos were almost able to perfect the art of riddle making, to an extent that they have created their own form while focusing on the objects of their normal day to day transactions. Help yourself with some heaps of history and Filipino riddles overload.
What exactly made it unique?
Amongst locals, a riddle is known as either “bugtong or palaisipan.” Filipinos are known for their elaborate siesta periods, perhaps during these times and other free time during the day or weekend are they able to enjoy answering riddles. Whatever made it famous, can be largely due to how it managed to connect to the normal Filipinos always using it. Filipino riddles are always one-liners with two distinct characteristics. First, the phrases should refer to a commonly local object or anything in particular that is fully described as an image that which symbolizes another thing. One more thing noticeable about Filipino riddles is a touch of poetic verses found in it, combining two forms in one, indicating that Filipinos are already masters of literature even in the olden times. The proliferation of new minds coining new riddles after another made large contributions over the larger field of authentic Filipino literature.
What exactly made it unique?
Amongst locals, a riddle is known as either “bugtong or palaisipan.” Filipinos are known for their elaborate siesta periods, perhaps during these times and other free time during the day or weekend are they able to enjoy answering riddles. Whatever made it famous, can be largely due to how it managed to connect to the normal Filipinos always using it. Filipino riddles are always one-liners with two distinct characteristics. First, the phrases should refer to a commonly local object or anything in particular that is fully described as an image that which symbolizes another thing. One more thing noticeable about Filipino riddles is a touch of poetic verses found in it, combining two forms in one, indicating that Filipinos are already masters of literature even in the olden times. The proliferation of new minds coining new riddles after another made large contributions over the larger field of authentic Filipino literature.
The art of riddling is enjoyed not just by Filipinos but by many other cultures all over the world. Riddle-solvers are celebrated around the world and majority of riddle lover populations abroad either do it as rites of passage or tournament challenges (games). But what’ good about love of riddles is that at both spectrum, those who create riddles and answer them are said to be possessing above average intellectual capabilities.
Test the riddles yourself
If you want some Filipino riddles with answers, this portion has five of them all complete with translations.
Test the riddles yourself
If you want some Filipino riddles with answers, this portion has five of them all complete with translations.
1. Balong malalim, puno ng patalim (A deep well full of knives) - answer: Bibig (Mouth)
2. Maliit pa si nene, marunong nang manahi (Nene is still a child but she already knows how to weave) - answer: Gagamba (Spider)
3. Itinapon mo na, bumabalik pa (Even if you throw it away, it still comes back) - answer: Yoyo
4. Hindi hari, hindi pari ngunit suot niya’y sari-sari (Not a king nor a priest but wears assorted wardrobe) - answer: Sampayan (Clothesline)
5. Bumili ako ng alipin, mataas pa sa akin (I bought a slave that is higher than me) - answer: Sumbrero (Cap)
Once entertained, loads of other Filipino riddles on various topics can be just a click away.
2. Maliit pa si nene, marunong nang manahi (Nene is still a child but she already knows how to weave) - answer: Gagamba (Spider)
3. Itinapon mo na, bumabalik pa (Even if you throw it away, it still comes back) - answer: Yoyo
4. Hindi hari, hindi pari ngunit suot niya’y sari-sari (Not a king nor a priest but wears assorted wardrobe) - answer: Sampayan (Clothesline)
5. Bumili ako ng alipin, mataas pa sa akin (I bought a slave that is higher than me) - answer: Sumbrero (Cap)
Once entertained, loads of other Filipino riddles on various topics can be just a click away.